INTERVIEW WITH OUR EDITOR — BEYOND THE PAGE

“The Best Time In My Life Was When They Came To Thank Me….”

A Soul Chat With Chrysa Stergiou, The Versatile Lady Of Soul Magazine.

Sreeja Saraswati
Soul Magazine

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Chrysa —( Pic by Chrysa)

Namaste Medium !!!!!

Everything happens for a reason…. This is what I realized once again when I was going through the chat (with her) and the works of this beautiful Greek Lady, whom I always admire for her simplicity, genuineness, and hard work as a colleague at Soul Magazine. Every piece she has written has her slice of heart, be it emotions or deep philosophy.

Yes !!!

A woman of substance…

A woman of determination…

A woman of readiness…

Dear friends…I am Sreeja Saraswati, from the Soul Magazine Team of Editors, having THE SOUL CHAT with my fellow Editor, Chrysa Stergiou….

I am more than happy to present this soul chat with our dear Editor Chrysa, who is just coming out of major Surgery, but has never stopped her writing and editing tasks; let alone her family responsibilities. The physical and mental anguish she endures is palpable to me, both as a fellow woman and a close friend. I am earnestly praying for her swift recovery.

Sreeja -Your writings have always shown your fondness towards your motherland, The Great Ancient Hellas aka Greece, the land of Science, Philosophy, and Art. Being brought up there, how do you see yourself evolving from that curious little girl to this writer woman today?

Chrysa — My love for my country is quite evident. Although I may sometimes go overboard, my affection for my homeland is something I proudly display in every situation. Many times, I apologize for this; but it is something that comes from within. My passion for reading and writing is the reason I pursued a career in teaching. In our minds, we all evolve as the time goes by. I hope there is a long way ahead so that I can do more.

Sreeja- Yes…Can you tell us about your greatest moments of being a teacher? Like, What were the challenges at the beginning and how did you overcome them?

Chrysa — I have always loved children, that’s for sure. Then, when I was at university and since I had my teaching license already, people started asking me to help them with different subjects. And I would do it. By the time I finished university, I had chosen exactly what to do. I started my own school and I never regretted it. The children adore me and of course, I adore them. They trust me with their personal problems and I do whatever possible to help them. Many of them who have graduated and left our city, always send me messages to make sure I am fine. To me, they are not my students. They are my children. Unfortunately, I have witnessed very difficult situations and I had to inform the authorities. Children who were seriously abused… I can’t stand that.

Sreeja- Now, coming to your exciting journey into the world of writing…. Please share with us, how you came to the Medium, and how it influenced you as a writer.

Chrysa — I have always loved writing. I have completed a book about my city, historical events, and a novel all in one… Then my daughter began writing, as she often attempts to emulate me, and she has completed a beautiful fairy tale that is soon to be published. However, the person who initiated me and introduced me to Medium is my sister, Mia. She loves writing too and she sent me a gift membership so as to know what Medium really is. She is my role model and I look up to her. A beautiful lady in and out, intelligent and unbelievably caring.

Sreeja- wow!! Amazing… You must be the proudest mother then… Congrats to both of You…I am sure, the family atmosphere has helped to carve the writer in both generations…

Alright, Now The Soul Magazine…. We just are amazed by the dedication and precision that you put into each of your editing pieces. The most appealing I ever felt was in one stage, you respect the colleague in such a way that you give a space for the other person to have an excuse, by just trying to put yourself in that position. This kindness and openness make you a gem of a person. Can you share your experiences with the Soul Magazine team?

Chrysa — Thank you for your kind words. You see when I do something, I want to do it right. I don’t take part in anything I don’t like. The whole team welcomed me and showed me love and respect. How could I not do that for them too? I committed to doing everything within my power to support the magazine, recognizing our team’s affection for it and its status as a respected publication with high standards. I appreciate that.

Sreeja- How has the teaching background influenced your approach to editing and working with the authors? With a busy life filled with teaching, family, and hobbies, how do you manage your time effectively to meet editing deadlines? Your daughter must be the most prideful about you.

Chrysa — My daughter is my everything. It took me a lot of time to have and we are stuck together. She holds me in high regard and I strive to never let her down. In fact, she has made me a better person.
Teaching is pretty much like editing. I edit compositions and tests (with tragic mistakes most of the time, 😭) all day long so editing a beautiful story or a poem is very easy for me. I love this job and I don’t mind doing it when it is my shift no matter what else I have to do.

Sreeja- What was the most rewarding experience as an editor? How do you approach giving feedback to authors while maintaining a constructive and collaborative working relationship?

Chrysa — In Soul Magazine we are blessed to have superb poets and writers who do not need my advice. However, I try to help them with some issues they may ignore but are important. Of course, we should do it in a way that does not offend them. It is not their work we should change or judge, it is some Medium standards and petty grammar mistakes.

Sreeja- Very true….The gifted writers have made our job easier…

The newsletter has been your contribution to Soul Magazine lately… It is exciting news now…

Chrysa — I am excited too. It is a very interesting venture and I will give my best to make it as good as possible. It will contain many things, among which tips, competitions, stories, and many others. I hope this will strengthen Soul magazine and bring our friends greater joy and closer to achieving our goals.

Sreeja- Recently, Soul Magazine witnessed a wholehearted appreciation of your piece dedicated to your father, becoming the top-read piece in the Pub… Every girl could relate to themselves and reflect it as ripples in rivers of their memoir…. I took my phone and called my father first…That is what we call the success of the pen…. Straight from heart to heart….This happened when you wrote about your mother also…

Chrysa — You know, I have been more than blessed when it comes to family. My parents are the kind of people who did not just become parents…they were born for this. They are always by our side, supporting us all, believing in us and our abilities, and never underestimating us. They are both very loving, caring, and good-hearted. They help whoever is in need and they laugh a lot…and cry a lot. People full of sentiments. All of my siblings are like that, too. We often laugh and cry at the same time…it is usual for the Greeks. And we dance a lot…

Mum, Dad and little Marina

Sreeja- Coming to whispers of the soul, another masterpiece of yours… Do you often go in silence, listening to that inner voice… Does that grace you with creative mode? How have you interacted with the inner soul…..

Chrysa — I often talk to myself, especially when things are not good. I believe very much in our soul and its powers. This way I find answers to things that trouble me. When I was in a very difficult health situation, I could actually listen to those whispers. I would close my eyes and wait for the feeling my soul would give me so as to proceed to something the doctors had told me or not. And you know what? My Soul’s “whispers” never betrayed me. They were always right. I hope no psychiatrist is reading this or I will have serious problems!!!

Sreeja- Your sketch of Panetolikos…..Wow !!! Such a dedicated, determined heredity that you are proud of…. Growing up to these incidents might have contributed to your telling stories that are close to heart, that can ignite true spirits……

Chrysa — Panetolikos for me is not a Football Club. It is an idea, an eternal love. My grandfather first and then my father had a similar life story, both connected to the Club. My father also attended the Evening Schools of Panetolikos and he played for the team. I am proud of being elected as a Vice President of the Athletic Club and I am in charge of the educational issues and the sponsorships to schools and children in need. I was excited when this particular story was boosted too.

Sreeja-.The tree and the impossible and Medusa…Somewhere loneliness and despair hits…Just hopelessness…. AND THEN A FINAL HOPE….

Chrysa — There is always a shine of hope, whatever the challenge is. I have learned to be positive in any situation and I have been through a lot in my life. However, life is a gift and we should appreciate it and caress it and not spend it in misery and sadness. I know how difficult this can be at times, but I surely know that if I didn’t have that attitude, I would have died long ago. So, let us all try to see the good side of life, be content with what we have, and not ignore the people who love us. They are what matters the most.

You have pointed out strongly how abused feel, and how people ignore them. How should we be with them, rather than turning off lights …The women’s day message of yours has carried all the essence of a woman, as a tribute of compassion to fellow women…. A WRITER AS WELL AS A WOMAN LOOKING FORWARD WITH THE HOPE FOR A BETTER WORLD….

Chrysa -As I have already said, I have seen so many cases of abuse in my career that there have been times when I felt useless and incompetent. Especially when it comes to children, who I adore and would do anything to protect, things get wild. Once a boy came to my school heavily bruised and with stitches under his eyebrows. Upon asking him, he replied that he fell in his house. Some other kids told me that his father had chained him on an olive tree and hit him… Of course, I called the police, and the “father” was arrested. It was also revealed that he had been abusing his wife for years too. Similar events have taken place many times. I would never ignore something like this. The best time in my life was when that woman and the child came to thank me and they both gave me the warmest hug ever… The future is certainly unknown to us, but there are ways to try and improve the possibilities of it being better.

First of all, by not being tolerant of people who do not deserve it. Then by being optimistic and striving to make whoever is around us, and loves us, happy. That’s the meaning of life to me and I certainly do not want to be graphic. We only live once (except for me!), so we must make it worthwhile.

Sreeja -I have read your story about a Near Death Experience you had. Is it true? Has it changed you?

Chrysa — Well, that was absolutely true. It happened some years ago and it has changed my attitude to life completely.

I’ve come to understand that life is valuable and shouldn’t be squandered on trivial matters.

I’ve also lost my fear of death, which is inevitable. This entire experience has transformed me into a more aware and improved individual, and despite its challenges, I am grateful for it. I am grateful for everything in my life, whether it was good and made me happy, or it was bad and taught me to be stronger.

Sreeja- After these serious talks, let us talk about how you relieve stress…about your hobbies…

You are famously indulged in gardening …. How did you discover the passion for gardening? What are your favorite plants? How has gardening benefitted you as a stress reliever?

Chrysa — I happen to have a huge garden. At first, I didn’t have enough time to do anything. One day, I got out on my balcony and I saw a bare garden…I hated it. I thought I was blessed with that piece of land and I ignored it, so I started reading about gardening and flowers that thrive in my place. Little by little I managed to make a fabulous garden full of colorful flowers. My favorite ones are bougainvillea… Then the roses and gardenias… Planting flowers, watering them, and watching them bloom is indeed a stress reliever. I am sorry I didn’t start it earlier…

My favourite Tree..

Sreeja- An avid traveler, tell us the place you want to visit in the future …. Do you like the idea of solo traveling?

Chrysa — I really love traveling. I have been through the whole of Europe, the Emirates, and of course the Balkans. I have never been to the United States however and I hope my next one will be there. I don’t like traveling solo because I love to talk about what I like. I typically travel with my husband, but in recent years, I’ve also been taking my daughter along, whether her father joins us or not.

Traveling, to me, is the ultimate educator. It expands your perspectives and fosters open-mindedness. Additionally, it offers the thrilling opportunity to learn about other cultures and people.

BUDAPEST SUMMER 2023 (PHOTO BY THE AUTHOR)

Sreeja- You have a passion for painting. Can you share with us your favorite type of painting? How often do you paint?

Chrysa — I don’t think you will like them.🤣🤣🤣I strive to stay active and, following my unsuccessful attempts at picture painting, I have turned to painting walls and furniture instead. 🤣🤣.. well that is something I am fond of. I have painted the whole house. I use chalk paints for the furniture. Everything in my house is different now. Plus, it is stress relieving too.

Sreeja- How much is music playing a role play in your life? You mentioned you even sleep with the radio on.

Chrysa — I have been living with the radio on ever since I remember myself. Day and night…whether I am at home or at work. Whatever I do. I can’t even write without music. That’s something I also took from my sister, Mia. My role model…😁 She still does that and now my daughter has got the habit too. My husband occasionally feels nervous, but over the years, he has become accustomed to it.

Sreeja — Yes, Chrysa, these stress relievers are needed for lifting us up at times of lesser creativity and more negativity that hits us all…

Now, before ending this chat, the lady you are, being bold and loud… We would like to know that life philosophy that you carry in your heart..

Chrysa Yes !! I love to quote Heraclitus -

“No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man.”

Featured In Heraclitus Quotes

THANK YOU FOR READING.

THANK YOU CHRYSA FOR THIS SOUL CHAT!!

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Sreeja Saraswati
Soul Magazine

Dr. Sreeja Sandeep Pillai MD, Editor of Soul Magazine & The Literary Underground, Ayurveda Doctor by profession, Bharatnatyam Dancer by Passion, Writer by Hobby